SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team is preparing to open their inaugural 2018 season this week in California. OUAZ will travel to Santa Barbara on Friday and Saturday to face Westmont College, before traveling to Riverside, California on Sunday for a doubleheader against La Sierra University.
 
"We are excited to get started on this journey," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "It has been a labor of love since we started building this program from the ground up almost a year ago. Our players and my staff have done a great job adapting to all of the moving parts in this inaugural year. Everything we have done has been God driven, and we are excited to get this season started."
 
Montez continued, "What a better way than having the opportunity to face one of top programs in the country at the NAIA level in Westmont College. They are well coached and we will have our work cut out for us.  I expect us to play hard and fast, and compete at a high level."
 
The Spirit open the 2018 season with 10 straight away games. OUAZ opens this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders at Westmont College, followed by a doubleheader at La Sierra University. OUAZ will then travel to Glendale Community College on February 2^nd and 3^rd, followed by a road doubleheader at Hope International University.
 
"We open up without one of our top defensive/offensive players, who is out until the middle of February recovering from a broken wrist," said Montez. "But when one door closes, another tends to open and that means someone will have an opportunity to put his best foot forward."
 
Following the roadtrip, OUAZ returns home to Surprise for their season opening homestand. The Spirit host the College of Idaho February 9^th through the 11^th inside of Surprise Stadium. OUAZ will then host Okanagan College from Canada on February 13^th and 14^th.
 
"It will be a very special weekend," said Montez. "It will be the first opportunity that our local community and our student body will be able to see our players in action. It will be exciting for our players, staff and their families. They have all worked extremely hard since last August and I am excited to see them compete and play in one of the nicest venues in the country."
 
Montez continued, "For me personally, I give thanks to our Lord for everything He has done for my staff, players and families. He has put us where He wants us and I just hope and pray that I will be able to lead these young men in a way that our community and university will be proud."
 
OUAZ will play their home games either inside of Surprise Stadium or on one of the Kansas City Royals' practice fields. Overall the Spirit will host 19 games in Surprise this season.
 
"It is a challenging schedule with 13 doubleheaders on tap," said Montez. "I have been coaching over 30 years and I have never played so many doubleheaders, but when you're trying to fill a 1st year schedule without being in a league then your mind-set has to be let's play anyone, anywhere, anyhow. We will be road warriors this season, with most of our games on the road; especially in California."
 
The OUAZ roster is comprised of 40 players. The first ever baseball team in OUAZ history has three seniors, 19 juniors, one sophomore, and 17 freshman.
 
"We represent OUAZ first and foremost by playing the game the right way and giving all the glory to our Lord Jesus Christ," said Montez. "From there, we want to establish an aggressive style of play both offensively and defensively. We know we need to pitch, play defense and have the ability to manufacture runs."
 
The Spirit will open the 2018 campaign this Friday at Westmont College. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12 Noon Arizona time.
 
   
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.